Turning 6!!

Our oldest turned 6 today, I cannot believe it!  Little Momma is definitely a smaller version of myself in a lot of ways.  Many of which I am at times not very proud of I'm afraid.  It is a humbling reminder of the many things I really need to work on - that is for sure!  She was so excited all day long and made sure to tell EVERYONE she saw at church (and out of church) that it was her birthday and she was 6.  The things she wanted for her birthday?  Blue purse, makeup, ONE barbie, and some jewelry.  She did get some of those things, but we stuck to the more practical things..... new bike helmet (the dog had gotten hold of the last one a few times too many and she was outgrowing it anyway), backpack for school, and some school necessities for her upcoming year in 1st grade!  Thank heaven for grandparents!  Her grandparents knew the key to her heart and got her some bath and body works things as well as a little bit of jewelry.  Thank you grandparents!!!  We are very happy to have her in our family.  She is so grown up sometimes!  You will find her mostly lending her siblings a helping hand and trying to act "big".   She is very happy about going to first grade and in being the big sister to a "new baby sister" this fall.  I just know she is going to be a GREAT help!  Happy Birthday, we love you!!!

Final Chapter for Harry

The time is quickly approaching for the last installment in the Harry Potter series.  I am pretty excited about the release of the final movie this next week.  Maybe if I can convince some friends to go with me - I might even stay up for the midnight showing!  Either way, I'm going to be seeing the movie next week sometime.  Really excited to see how "Hollywood" finishes off the story.  Those of you who haven't read the book yet, there is still time!  Pick it up and read it real quick - I know it's thick... but you won't be able to put it down!

pregnancy can be weird

This pregnancy has really been unlike any pregnancy that I have EVER had.  Granted, I've only had 3 other ones.  So, my experience is quite limited.  I was pretty sick in the beginning up until almost 20 weeks.  "Morning sickness" didn't last all day long nor was it just in the morning.  Some days I would feel sick in the morning, others in the afternoon, and then still others I would just feel awful at the end of the day.  I have been pretty exhausted during this pregnancy too.  I'm grateful that my first two children (daughters) gave me all the stretch marks I seem to need - however, these last two pregnancies (my son and the current baby I am carrying) seem to want to damage my veins in this 9 month long process.  My son I'm not extremely mad at, since the vein damage was minimal.  This child, (claimed to be a girl), however is doing a number on me.  The worst part?  I still have 11.5 weeks left! That is WAY too much time for more damage to occur.  I must say no matter what gender ends up being delivered from this maimed 20 something year old body of mine, there are FANTASTIC names picked out for him/her.  DESPITE THE FACT I WISH I COULD GIVE IT SOME AWFUL MIDDLE NAME - maybe I could give them a second middle name that is truly awful?   Whatever this baby ends up being, it'll have one great name for sure.  Oh, and this baby has been SO active this pregnancy.  I can only slightly compare it to the amount of movement I felt with #2 (Julia).  Lately, I am still tired and really don't feel motivated to eat much.  It is really a strange feeling.  What pregnant lady wouldn't be thrilled about food?  Yah, I know.  This pregnant lady can only get slightly excited about some fruit.  I know the salad hanging out in the fridge should get consumed before it goes bad, along with the leftovers..... but I am really not motivated.  I just want to lay down and sleep - for like..... a week!  Then maybe get up and have a smoothie, followed by some fruit salad, maybe a snack of watermelon, and finish off the day with more fruit salad.  How I love fruit salad!  Oh, and the heartburn I get from eating ANYTHING other than fruit is awful!  That's enough to keep a lady away from the table for sure.

As a HUGE side note though, I am kinda hoping that this desire to only eat fruit and not go after the really bad stuff for my body..... is going to keep my weight gain LOW.  So far I have gained 15 lbs and I am trying to fight that dial from moving up too much higher.  For the next 11 weeks (hopefully less) I will be keeping my fingers crossed!!

Our Little Man

Ok.... so besides having the "sweetest girl" for a daughter, as well as a daughter whose eyes will literally knock your socks off, I have a truly amazing little boy.  Basically, I am just an extremely blessed lady at present.  Before any of you get the idea that I am saying my life is perfect..... NOPE, my life is definitely filled with challenges.  Sometimes those challenges come in the form of my great little blessings.   Lately, I am just really grateful for the great blessings I have and want to share why I think they are so amazing.  Our little guy still doesn't say much at almost 22 months old, but he most definitely seems to understand more of what we are saying TO him each day.  I am constantly amazed by how much he understands and how his personality is developing.  He can be quite the whiner at times - usually it is for his mom.  There are times the boy just wants to be held and no one but mom will do.  He does prefer to fall asleep on his father though - if he has to fall asleep on someone.  He must really enjoy nursery too (thank you nursery leaders!!).  Singing songs and reading books are things he really enjoys doing.  When we are in his room, he'll grab a book, and back up to sit down in your lap for you to read it to him.  It is the cutest thing ever.   Then, he'll try the hand motions to certain songs we sing as a family.   Another thing he really enjoys is "wash hands".  He likes hand sanitizer and will say "aash hands" each time he wants to (which is generally one after the other after another).  The boy's hands are clean at least 80 percent of the time!   Keela ("dog-dog") is also another favorite, he'll give her hugs and kisses many times throughout the day.  Little man doesn't each much, but could drink fluids all day long - water (sometimes), juice, gatorade, chocolate milk, orange juice, all the great things in life.  He is ALWAYS thirsty.  His diapers prove it too!  Hunter also has a great love for shoes.  He puts on pretty much anyone's (including his dad's size 13's)!   sunglasses and purses, baby dolls, he really enjoys anything!  Now remember, he has two big sisters - so cut him some slack.  Hunter really likes balls though (a true boy).  Anytime you make him laugh, he'll get the hiccups afterwards.  Oh... and he loves dancing to just about any kind of music.  What a great little guy, huh?  I know... I am really really blessed.

Scout Camp

So the hubby is off at scout camp and I am here with the kiddos and the dog.  I am really proud of him and the work he has been doing with the scouts.  He hasn't really had any experience with being a scout master before this year, but he had a blast as a scout and I really hope this week has been fun for him.  He is definitely the kind of person that will go and do (unless it is chores around the house...=) ) what needs to be done.  See a need, fill a need basically.  I talked with him late last night and he said pretty much all of the guys there at scout camp this year are first time campers.  WOW!  I guess the older boys went and did a high adventure thing (sailing) a few weeks back. I didn't realize that he was camping with a bunch of first timers!  I hope that the boys end up having a pretty good time and that they all come home a little smarter and better prepared to become men.  I can't wait until my hubby gets back.  Being pregnant with 3 kids to tow around is definitely the pits when you are alone sometimes!

I know the sweetest girl....

For those of you who know me (or at least read this blog every so often), I kind of rag on my second born sometimes.  I don't want any of you to get the wrong idea about her, she is a great kid, a WONDERFUL kid.  My qualm is that she is a BUSY/CURIOUS kid.  That is where we run into trouble with raising her.  This post isn't going to be dwelling on that part though, so.... forget you read it, ok?!   My second born has got to be the sweetest, most genuine person that I have EVER met.  My best friend can give her a run for her money..... but as far as kids go..... my daughter is definitely the sweetest person on planet earth.  She has a huge capacity to love, give, and be kind to those around her.  She doesn't intentionally run around hurting people or treat them rudely.  Most times she does that only with her sister, and after being provoked at that!  Her nature is to love, not hurt and that touches my life each and every day.  The circumstances in which she arrived here in our family were not the ones the hubby and I wanted for her to have (not the right timing), and as such she already had kind of a tough arrival.  She is the gem that comes from adversity.  She is extremely intelligent and a huge blessing to our family.  I recently received a letter in the mail stating that she was accepted into the Pre-K program at the elementary school down the street for this fall.  I am so excited!  I think she will do well in school and it wouldn't hurt for her to learn a little bit of control, right?!  Plus... it'll give her mommy a chance to be at home with just one child for a couple weeks before the baby gets here.  WE LOVE YOU JULIA!

Aunt Jocey

4th of July - before fireworks at the Bay

Sparklers in the backyard when Mom mom and Pop pop came

Fireworks at the Bay - it was a nice night for it!

We had the chance to "kidnap" my little sister, Jocelyn for almost two weeks of fun beginning the end of June.  The girls were so stinkin excited to go pick her up 3 wednesday's ago.  We decided to meet half way between our houses to cut down on the driving time and hopefully on my end.... the whining children.  It was great to have her here.  We got a chance to go to the bay, McArthur Mall, see Cars2 at the theaters, and just hang out.  I feel bad that our weeks weren't more "action packed" but with a house of 3 kids and a dog that sheds..... you kinda got your work cut out for you!  We also tried getting to the community pool a few times to only find out that the pump is STILL not working (it has been at least a week straight!).  Honestly.... the nerve of some people in 90-some degree heat!  We have had quite a few thunderstorms as well lately.  Definitely makes for some really creative ideas on what to do.  Can't really play outside without sweating like crazy, then, if it's pouring down rain and thundering.... pretty much an inside day.  Ugh.... this summer hasn't been the most accommodating, that is for sure.  I would have loved to see more beautiful days (i.e. 70s, breezy, sunny).  Thank you for coming to hang out Aunt Jocey!  I was able to get some stuff done without the kiddos that I would have had to ask for help with from someone else if you weren't here.  LOVE YOU!!